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ly. ‘I’m sure it must have been very disturbing. But then,
there is our side of it too. Have you any imagination, Miss
Barry? If you have, just put yourself in our place. We didn’t
know there was anybody in that bed and you nearly scared
us to death. It was simply awful the way we felt. And then
we couldn’t sleep in the spare room after being promised.
I suppose you are used to sleeping in spare rooms. But just
imagine what you would feel like if you were a little orphan
girl who had never had such an honor.’
All the snap had gone by this time. Miss Barry actually
laughed—a sound which caused Diana, waiting in speech-
less anxiety in the kitchen outside, to give a great gasp of
relief.
‘I’m afraid my imagination is a little rusty—it’s so long
since I used it,’ she said. ‘I dare say your claim to sympathy
is just as strong as mine. It all depends on the way we look at
it. Sit down here and tell me about yourself.’
‘I am very sorry I can’t,’ said Anne firmly. ‘I would like
to, because you seem like an interesting lady, and you might
even be a kindred spirit although you don’t look very much
like it. But it is my duty to go home to Miss Marilla Cuth-
bert. Miss Marilla Cuthbert is a very kind lady who has
taken me to bring up properly. She is doing her best, but it
is very discouraging work. You must not blame her because
I jumped on the bed. But before I go I do wish you would
tell me if you will forgive Diana and stay just as long as you
meant to in Avonlea.’
‘I think perhaps I will if you will come over and talk to
me occasionally,’ said Miss Barry.